History of Old Gorhambury House:
Situated near St Albans, Hertfordshire – Old Gorhambury House was built in the midst of 1563 and 1568 by renowned politician Sir Nicholas Bacon. Nicholas was the Lord Keeper of Old Gorhambury House, and since he was a politician during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, that’s why Old Gorhambury House had witnessed several royal visits and stays. One of the interesting facts about its construction is that the bricks used in its architecture were remains from Old Abbey buildings in St Albans. The religious buildings, abbey, and priory were demolished (historically known as Benedictine Priory’s dissolution) twenty-five years before the construction of Old Gorhambury House. After its possession, Sir Nicholas Bacon expanded the mansion’s boundaries and permanently adopted it for residence. Old Gorhambury House indeed signifies the indubitable embellishment and garnishes the expensive porch look at the entrance.
A Residential Mansion:
(Photo: Painting of Old Gorhambury House, photo courtesy, Sydbie)
What Sir Nicholas Bacon started later became a convention for upcoming generations. Old Gorhambury House had also served the famous Sir Francis Bacon who was the youngest son of Sir Nicholas Bacon and Anne (Cooke) Bacon (second wife). Sir Francis was a renowned essayist, scientist, polymath, statesman, and a philosopher of all times. The Bacon family managed to live at the Old Gorhambury House for a century or more until the possession of it was granted to Grimston family. In 1652, the mansion was passed to the second husband of Anne, Sir Harbottle Grimston, who was a prominent speak and member of the English Parliament of 1660. However, during the 17th century, Old Gorhambury House had several visitors, including royal visits of Queen Elizabeth I.
The Grimston Family:
(Photo: 18th Century water-colour photograph of Old Gorhambury House)
The Grimston family had lived at Old Gorhambury House from the 17th century onwards. The ownership was transferred from blood-to-blood within the Grimston Family. This lineage transfer was disrupted in the 1700s when Samuel, son of Harbottle died childlessly. William Luckyn, the great-nephew of Harbottle, became the first Viscount Grimston and owner of the Old Gorhambury House in 1719.
Palladian-Style Gorhambury House:
(Photo: New Gorhambury House)
During 1777-78 the old mansion underwent structural modification and changed its style to Palladian-Style Gorhambury House (current) designed by Sir Robert Taylor, who was a famous English architect of the 18th century. It took over the old Gorhambury House leaving behind only the ruins, which we can see today in St Albans. The New Gorhambury House is entirely separate from the old one. The remains of Old Gorhambury House is opened for public access, and the Historic Houses Association supervises it.
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